We’ve had over month of fantastic snowkiting in the northern Rockies and I thought I would share my initial experience of flying the 2011 Ozone Frenzy. The new Frenzy was significantly redesigned for this year and the results are quite astounding. This kite is in a league of its own in performance (stability, speed, power).
First to mention is the wing’s stability. This kite is so stable that gusty days seem smooth. The wing tips hold their shape and the resulting stability translates into an incredibly smooth power transfer to the rider during jibes and while in the air during flight. Many, many times I have sent the Frenzy from low in the window into wildly high boosts. The kite just does what I tell it to: sends me skyward. No surprises, no unusual collapses, easy redirection for super smooth landings. In my mind, the kite seems safer because of this designed stability.
Low, powerful jibes are a real pleasure with this kite. It flies fast, for sure. However, just the slightest amount of sheeting and the kite will lock into its sweet spot and deliver an incredible amount of speed and power. Unlike the Manta which required a small amount of constant bar input to keep it going fast, the ’11 Frenzy needs none of that. It finds its speed (and resulting power) by where you place it in the window and will hold on to that spot without any effort.
So far I have had a couple dozen days on the 13, a few on the 11 and one amazing session on the 9m. The range on all sizes is very nice with a decent amount of overlap. When I was out on the 11 the other day I could have easily flown the 9m. When out on the nine (gusts to 35mph, 6” of new pow), I would have been super-lit on the 11 and had a fun time if I had flown the 7.
This year’s Frenzy has many small but noteworthy changes that translate to an extraordinary kiting experience. Some changes are immediately noticeable: The mesh leading edge significantly eliminates snow buildup inside when riding in storms. Other changes are more subtle: How effortless the kite will back down when the back line safety strap is pulled. Another is the incorporation of blow-out valves that reduce the possibility of kite damage when crashing it into the ground.
All in all I believe that this is the nicest, best flying foil that Ozone has produced and will give me many, many months of fun and pleasure this winter! I hope you have a chance to fly one, if you do, don’t hesitate, you’ll be glad you did!